How to Apply Wood Appliques to a Wood Picture Frame

Select a wood glue to apply wood appliques to a wooden frame.

Wood appliques, also referred to as gingerbread, offer a decorative touch for customizing woodworking projects or ready-made picture frames. Applying the applique yourself provides the satisfaction of a do-it-yourself project, and the resulting decorated wood frame makes a suitable gift or accent for the home. Use appliques in matching or contrasting woods to create the desired effect. It's possible to apply a wood applique to a frame with small nails, but this method carries the risk of splitting the applique. A more effective way to attach the applique to the wood picture frame involves selecting a suitable glue.

Things You'll Need

• Soft brush, such as a paint brush
• Wood soap
• Rag
• Measuring tape (optional)
• Pencil (optional)
• Wood glue or carpenter's glue
• Wax paper
• Hardback book

Instructions

1. Clean the picture frame and applique, if needed, before applying the applique to the picture frame. Any soiling, oils--including skin oil from handling, chemicals or other residue--reduces the glue's effectiveness. If the front of the wood applique is dusty, brush it with a soft brush before cleaning the back.

2. Mix 1/4 tsp. of wood soap in 1/4 cup of room temperature water. Dab a clean rag in the mixture and wring it out so it's barely damp. Lightly rub the back of the applique with the rag, rubbing with the grain. Rinse the rag well in running water. Dip it in the wood soap mixture and wring it out. Rub the entire front of the picture frame, rubbing with the grain. Handle the wood items by their edges to refrain from getting skin oil on the surfaces you're going to glue.

3. Allow the applique and frame to dry for at least an hour.

4. Apply wood glue sparingly to the back of the applique. Gently make a thin line from one end of the applique to the other. Make another line of glue around the edge. Keep the glue at least an 1/8 inch from the edge and from any cut-outs in the wood to avoid the glue showing when you press it against the frame.

5. Use a measuring tape and pencil, if needed, to mark the placement for the applique. For example, if you want the applique in the bottom middle of the picture frame, measure the bottom of the frame from one outside edge to another and divide by two. If the frame is 24 inches wide, make a mark at 12 inches.

6. Center the applique where you want it on the wood picture frame.

7. Press down gently on the center of the wood applique and hold the applique in place for a slow count of 45.

8. Set a piece of wax paper over the wood applique. Put a book on top of the applique to press it down while the glue takes effect. Leave to dry for four hours. If conditions are damp, leave it to dry overnight, as humidity can affect the glue.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep wood appliques out of direct sunlight and high-heat conditions such as near heating vents. Sun and heat can crack wood, and thin or delicately carved wood, such as appliques, are vulnerable to damage as well.

• Keep the glue out of reach of children.

• Read and comply with all wood glue instructions and warnings.

References

• This to That: Clamping
• D. Lawless Hardware: Wood Appliques - Wood Carvings & Wood Parts in Birch & Oak - Wood Trim